Starting a Side Business While Working Nine-to-Five

Many of us have a cloud of “what will happen if I ever lose my job?” above our heads. With this possibility in the back of our heads, many have thought of starting a side businesses to make sure that if they happen to lose their regular job, they aren’t left with nothing. Or, if their side business kicks off, they can finally quit their 9-5 and commit to working from home or doing something they love.

Things to consider

The most important thing about starting your own business while having a full-time job is knowing how to balance the two. Therefore, make sure you don’t go too big, because that might not leave you enough time to do your regular job. On the other hand, if you don’t commit to your side business enough, it will never develop into something self-sustaining. Striking that balance might take some time, so start small and work your way up to bigger projects.
Since there are many jobs that you can start as a side business at this very moment, how do you choose? Here we will try to list the most popular jobs, and divide them into two main categories: online and offline.

Online

Working online is, for many people, the dream. Working from home and choosing your own hours have their amazing benefits, but they can also bury you in work and make you wish you were at your day job instead. Nevertheless, with good organization, these jobs you can do online should not be a problem:

Tutor – Do you happen to be proficient in some language, or you want to help people prepare for SATs or any other exams? Share that knowledge through many online tutoring sites. The lessons are usually conducted via Skype and you choose your working hours.

Translator or copywriter – Sign up as a freelancer or open up your own company and help people by translating texts or writing articles for them.

Web design – This is a skill that may look complicated, but it’s actually quite simple to learn and once you get the hang of it, every business in the area is going to want you to create their website.

Graphic design – Another skill that is not that hard to learn, and can be exploited in many ways, either through freelance websites, or by starting your own business, or selling your designs to print shops, artists and others.

Social media expert or blogger – Blogging is considered by many a dream job and who wouldn’t think so?! You’re basically writing about things you love (or hate) and having a sea of admirers. Well, it’s definitely not as easy as it sounds, but it can be done. The same goes for social media expert. It requires just a bit of training, but the results are worth it.

Offline

B&B – If you have some extra space in your house, and you love meeting new people – why not try a bed and breakfast business and open your doors to people from all around the world?

Cleaning service or house-sitting – If you don’t mind spending time in other people’s homes, you can opt for cleaning, walking dogs, babysitting or simply house sitting in Melbourne.

Photographer – If you have a decent enough camera – congratulations! You have all the tools you need to be a small-time photographer! You might want to invest in some extra lights and lenses, and you’ll be at every local wedding in no time!

So, those are just some of the ideas you can try out as a side business, but remember – the world is your oyster. Sometimes the most unique ides, and those that nobody has thought of before, are the ones that bring the most success!